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Pressure
When you think of an ocean, the massive amount of water covering most of Earth comes to mind. However, there is another ocean that goes relatively unnoticed: air. This metaphorical ocean begins at the top of the atmosphere and ends at sea level. Just like with water, pressure increases as you progress deeper.
Boyle's Law
Boyle's law explains the relationship between elevation and the amount of oxygen. As you climb higher into the atmosphere, there is less oxygen available. This is somewhat deceptive. In reality, the actual concentration of oxygen remains constant at 21 percent.. However, since pressure decreases at higher elevations, air becomes less compressed, reducing the amount of molecules present. As a result, there is not nearly as much oxygen available, even though the concentration is the same.
Adaptation
Not all human beings live down at sea level. Many reside in mountainous regions thousands of feet high. Luckily, the body naturally adapts to pressure and oxygen changes associated with ascending to these altitudes. This is called acclimatization. The thin air makes it harder for your body to distribute oxygen, so breathing increases and intensifies. The heart also beats harder to supply blood more quickly to the muscles and brain.
Risks
Lack of oxygen at high elevations can cause a potentially fatal problem called altitude sickness. Although oxygen deprivation leads to altitude sickness, the direct connection between the two is still unknown. Initial signs include headache, nausea and fatigue. At this point, you are not at risk, but it is recommended that you discontinue your ascent. If you ignore these symptoms, altitude sickness can kill you within hours. However, this ordeal can be easily prevented. Acclimatization is a slow process, so do not rush your ascent.